A POLICE corporal pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates’ Court here today to a charge of helping a murder suspect evade arrest late last month.
Mohd Syhrulazlan Mohd Safri, 35, was accused of deliberately failing to apprehend Mohd Hafeez Ali, 45, a suspect wanted under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The incident allegedly took place at a playground near a condominium in Gombak at 12.15am on 29 June.
The charge, framed under Section 221(a) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment or a fine upon conviction.
Magistrate Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim granted bail of RM7,000 with one surety and imposed a condition that the accused report to the nearest police station once a month. The court fixed 10 September for case mention.
In a related case, Mohd Hafeez was charged at the same court with murdering Muhammad Umar Abdul Jalil, 38, at a premises near the same condominium at 11.45pm on 28 June.
The charge, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years and 12 strokes of the cane if found guilty.
No plea was recorded from Mohd Hafeez as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Two other individuals also faced charges linked to the murder.
Noor Azzly Hisham Sabtu, 47, was accused of disposing of the knife used in the killing in order to shield Mohd Hafeez from legal consequences.
The offence allegedly occurred at the same location and time. He was charged under Section 201 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine.
N. Jayashanthan, 50, was separately charged with intentionally harbouring Mohd Hafeez to prevent his prosecution under Section 302. He faces a charge under Section 212 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine.
Bail was granted at RM8,000 and RM8,500 respectively for Noor Azzly Hisham and Jayashanthan, with both required to report to police monthly. Their cases will also be mentioned on 10 September.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Iman Nurhidayah Ezani led the prosecution. - July 10, 2025